The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-03
he CAUGHT THE IDEA.
Valuable Lesson Taught Q Lower
River Steamboat Agent.
The Force OF ExsmpIe-Heavy Cost
Of RunDing Large Steamers,
work or Piny.

4
ranks OF stesmboatmen has an intelli-
gent idea Of what II costs to run
boat. The question was raised smorg
a party Of gentlemen yesterday, one
member OF which was Capt. James
Lee, j.. 10 resporss 10 the latter's
suggestion for On estimate, all gave II
mp. "Well," volunteered the captain,
"Pve figured II up, taxing the steamer
Jamee Lee as basis, and find that It
costs 224 cents minute to maintain
and operate her, whether working or
playing"
IL was farther learned that nearly
every owner ord master OF q steamer
or line OF steamers counts the cost OF q
trip before starting out, especial y II il
be long one. A large steamer, 70
make q regular trim frcih Memphis TO
New Orleans, with regular landings,
will require at least 5000 for running
expenses. II therefore behooved men
who furnish faancial backing to cal.
culste closely.
~ had one peculiarly pleasant tx
perience In this line" said Capt. L,e,
"from the fact that / entered into 1t
with misgivings as to the outcome. A
few years ago, when the Lee was run.
ming In the lower river trade, she
came In later and later every trip.
When l asked the boys In charge for
the cause, they replied that agents at
various points we're invsris bly, behind
In their part OF ths business, leaving
bills Of lading unwrittren until the
goods we're landsd, and come OF them
never fai cd TO have four or five letters
to write to Memphis, all OF which they
left undone until the boat landed. /
went on tour OF investigation, and
found the woret case OF delay at Aus.
tin. The steamer landed there about
8 o'clock In the morning, and the
agent came aboard, greeting all the a..
tsches with genuine cordially. There
were about 100 bales OF cotton 10 be
shipped, besides other goods, and not
q singlsbill OF lsding made out. / sat
near the Chico, reading pepper,
waited patiently until all the freight
was loaded, then watched the clerks
accommodate the agent la the usual
way. When the bills were completed,
fully two hours had elapsed
,ince the landing was made
Now, / have four or Ave Letters
to write and send up by beat said
the local man, and paper and envel.
opeB were handed him. While he
wrote he talked, and time few rapidly.
/ did not inaugura'e my campaign
Rgainsl him until he had signed and
sealed the last letter, bat then ~.
preached, tapped Lin on the sboul.
der, aud said
You feom 10 be clover fellow, q
good buainess man, and thoi oughly
straightforward aud honts,. Bat there
IL one thing you havs evidently not
learned TO appreciate, which is-the
yalue Of lime. I'm the sner OF this
boat, and k5oE what Ii )sts 10 Tuu Il
Since l hrst spoke 10 you, I've lost a,
least 10 conis.1
!" '0a, you're joking no replied but
with no urge oil anger In his tencs'
NO, cir, said /; 1t cosis ms lust
22i cents q minute, whether running
or lying at q wharf,
"'Well. well, no replied In ampz,.
ment, Il never thought Of thai, and
promise you lheIe'll he no more loss
on my account. LET'S take q drink
while he was speaking / took him
by tho arm and led him toward the
bar, In order TO empbasiss what had
just been told him 'I'll take a dIink
With you, provided you'll take II
straight. Irll take q fall minute or
more 10 mix them, you know
HE agreed, and when Il had been
swallowed pulled from his pocket a
bill from which 10 take change. Pat
that back In your pocket, said,
moving him gently toward the cabin
door, 'ws'ye already lost 30 cents by
this conversation, and I'LL COS, 10 more
10 make this change
"le laughed add iell the boat In a
hurry. AZ he Fkipped "a the stage
plank he looked back and said, Good.
bye, old man; you've taught me a LEG
Don. l always liked your boats and
oilcere; now | like you, and will see
that there arc no more delaya' Aud
he has ktp, his word faithfully, being
one Of the best and prompiett sgents
alaA.. H..